Heat exchanger



Oct. 22, 1935.

E. N. SIEDER HEAT EXCHANGER Fild Sept. 29, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 51/62 677 mow/ 250.57?

T 'ATTORNEY Oct. 22, 1935. N $|EDER 2,018,037

, HEAT EXCHANGER Filed Sept. 29, 1953 s Shets-Sheet -2 INVENTOR fVfRETT/YOR/ffl/V 67505? ATTORNEY I Oct. 22, 1935. SIEDER 2,018,037

HEAT EXCHANGER Filed Sept. 29, 1933 3-Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR 51 5/95 A M/M/I/ 5/505? ATTORN EY Patented Oct. 22 1 935 HEAT EXCHANGER Everett Norman Sieder, Westfield, N. J., assignor to Foster Wheeler Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of 'N ew York Application September 29, 1933, Serial No. 691,446

This invention relates to heat exchangers and more particularly pertains to heat exchangers of the tube and shell type and to supporting means I for the tubes intermediate theirends.

The invention provides novel supporting means for the intermediate portions of the tubes so arranged that maximum support for the tubes with a relatively small restriction of flow area through the tube bundle is provided.

This is accomplished in general, by means extending through or disposed in the lanes between rows of tubes, such as bars or rods in contact with the tubes, and suitably supported at their ends, preferably beyond the tube bundle. The number of such supporting means employed and their location and direction of extent through the tube bundle will depend upon the lengths of the tubes and the character of their spacing.

The nature of the invention will be understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and illustrating preferred forms of the invention, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a heat exchanger embodying one form of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a partial transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a partial longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on lines 4-4 of Figs. 2 and 3;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view partly in section of a heat exchanger embodying another form of the invention; and

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 6- 6 of Fig. 5.

Like characters of reference refer to like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, reference character It! designates the cylindrical shell of a heat exchanger embodying the present invention and having armular flanges H and I2 at its opposite ends. Shell I0 is provided with an inlet I3 in its upper portion and an outlet I4 in its lower portion. A plurality of tubes l5 disposed within and extending longitudinally of the shell III as shown, are expanded into or otherwise secured. at one end to a stationary tube sheet I6 and at the other end to a floating tube sheet I! of such dimensions that it may be passed through the shell when the 'tube bundle is withdrawn. Tube sheet I6 is secured by suitable means to the flange l2 of the shell Ill and a header I8 is secured to the tube sheet l6, as shown. The ,header I8 is divided by 16 Claims. (01. 257-239) a longitudinally extending partition l9 into an inlet compartment 20 and an outlet compartment 2 I. Fluid is introduced into the compartment .20 through an inlet 22 and after passing through the tubes I5, is withdrawn or discharged from the exchanger and compartment 2i through an outlet 23. A cover 24 is secured to the floating tube sheet I! by suitable means such as the split ring 25 which engages the inner periphery of the tube sheet l1 and is bolted to the flange of the cover 10 24 which abuts the outer periphery of tube sheet II. A shell cover 26 is secured to the annular flange ll of the shell l0. Suitable means, indicated generally 21, may be utilized to support the floating tube sheet I! on the shell I0.

Inthe forms of theinvention shown in the drawings, the supporting means for the intermediate portions of the tubes comprises a plurality of groups of bars of any suitable material disposed in the lanes between tube rows and which are 20 maintained in proper position by suitable means such as herein disclosed. The number of bar groups utilized and their particular disposition will depend upon the character of the spacing of the tubes and upon the length of the tubes. In 25 the form of the invention disclosed in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, the tubes are spacedon a triangular pitch, that is to say, the tubes are spaced so that the lines of centers of the several rows of tubes form triangles. In this form of the invention 30 three separate spaced groups of bars are utilized to provide a supporting unit for the intermediate portions of the tubes. The number of these units which are employed will depend of course upon the length of the tubes utilized in the heat exchanger. As shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, the three groups of supporting bars which form a supporting unit are designated respectively A, B, and C. The supporting group A consists of an annular plate 30 which is disposed transversely of the tube bundle in the annular space between the shell l0 and the tube bundle I5 with its diameter somewhat smaller than the inside diameter of the shell, and having its inner peripheral portion formed so as to contact the outermost 45 tubes of the bundle, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3 and the supporting bars designated 3i having rectangular cross-sectional configurations, which are disposed between the horizontally inclined tube rows extending in a direction from upper left to lower right as seen in Fig. 2. These bars, as shown, are positioned with their sides or longer cross-sectional dimensions in contact with the tubes and are secured at their ends to the annular plate 30 by suitable means, such as 5 V by welding or the like. Supporting group B contransversely disposed annular plate 34 also similar to plate 30, and a plurality of spaced bars similar to bars 3| which are disposed between the horizontally inclined rows of tubes extending in a direction from upper right to lower left, as seen in Fig. 3.

The tube supporting groups A, B, and C are maintained in spaced relationship by suitable means such as the tie bolts 36, shown. These tie bolts are threaded into the stationary tube sheet I6 and carry cylindrical spacing members 31, the ends of which engage the annular plates 30, 32, and 34 and tube sheet I6 to maintain them in the desired spaced relationship. The supporting plates 30, 32 and 34 in addition to supporting the bars 3|, 33 and 35 function as baflie plates to prevent short circuiting of the vapors or fluids which pass through the shell l0, through the annular space between the shell and the tube bundle.

With the tube supporting arrangement so far described, it will be perceived that each of the tubes of the tube bundle, with the exception of a few tubes at theperiphery of the bundle, are engaged by the supporting bars at spaced points or lines of contact which are disposed about the periphery of the tubes. In this manner, the intermediate portions of the tubes are adequately supported against buckling or distortion and yet are free to expand and contract along their lengths and this support is'provided with a relatively small restriction of flow area through the tube bundle.

Where the tubes are spaced on a square pitch, that is to say where the lines of centers of the tubes intersect at approximately right angles to each other, the supporting units for the intermediate portions of the tubes consist of two groups of supporting bars designated generally D and E, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The supporting group D consists of an annular supporting plate 40 similar to plate 30 and a plurality of bars/4| similar to the bars 3|, but disposed ,in a substantially vertical direction between the vertical rows of tubes of i?". tube bundle, as seen in Fig. 6. The supporting "group D consists of an annular plate 42 similar to the plate 30 and a plurality of bars 43, similar to the bars 3| but which are horizontally disposed and extend between the horizontal rows of tubes ,l5, as seen in Fig. 6. With this arrangement it'will beseen that each of the, tubes with the exception of a few at the periphery of the tube bundle is supported at spaced points which are disposed at approximately to each other about the circumference of the tubes. As many of the supporting units consisting of the two groups of supporting bars as shown and described may be utilized, to provide the desired support for the intermediate portions of the tubes. In the embodiments of the invention disclosed, the plates which support the tube supporting bars or rodsare not connected to the shell l0, so that they may readily be withdrawn from the shell with the tube bundle.

Although supporting bars having rectangular transverse cross-sectional configurations are disclosed, it will be apparent that bars or rods having cross-sectional configurations such as circular, triangular or square may be utilized, if desired,

' tion relates, it will be apparent that the supporting means herein disclosed possesses decided advantages over the so-called half-circle supporting plates or ring type baflles which have hereto- 1:; fore been utilized. These prior types of battles invariably produce a dead flow area at one side of these baflles, which area increases with the .amount of support which the baflies provide. To 1 overcome this dead area it has been customary :0 in the past'to divide the tube support so that each bafile or supporting plate would support about twenty-five per cent of the tubes of the bundle but with this arrangement it will readily be seen that it would require four or more successive .25 bafiles or supporting plates of this character to complete one tube supporting unit.

By utilizing the tube supporting means herein disclosed it has been possible to design vertical condensers for high vacuum distillation units 30 where a minimum pressure drop is required. Such condensers may be made a part 'of the fractionating tower for small vacuum units and may be advantageously utilized in lieu of the more costly design of external vapor condensers 83 having two or more large vapor lines connecting it with the vacuum tower.

Although the invention has been shown and described as embodied in heat exchangers which are normally operated in a horizontal position, 0 it will be evident that the principle of the invention may be employed in heat exchangers adapted for use in a vertical position.

It will be understood that inasmuch as changes in the forms of the invention herein disclosed 46 may be made without departing from the principle of the invention, no intention is entertained to limit the extent of the invention except by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is: 60

1. Heat exchange apparatus comprising a shell, tubes within the shell, means for supporting the tubes at their ends, and means comprising a plurality of groups of bars for supporting the tubes intermediate their ends, the bars in each group extending transversely of the tube-bundle with the bars in one group extending in a direction different from that of the bars of another group.

2. Heat exchange apparatus comprising a shell, tubes within the shell forming a tube bundle, said bundle being spaced from the shell, a plate 4 disposed within the shell in the space between the tube bundle and the shell and intermediate the ends of the tubes and unconnected with the shell, and a plurality of bars supported on said plate 05 and disposed in the lanes between tube rows for supporting the tubes.

3. Heat exchange apparatus comprising a shell, tubes within the shell forming a tube bundle,

.said bundle being spaced from the shell, a pluporting the tubes, the bars secured to one plate extending in a direction difierent from that in which the bars secured to another plate extend.

4. Heat exchange apparatus comprising a shell, tubes within the shell, means tor supporting the tubes at their ends, said tubes being spaced so that the lines of their centers are at right angles to each other, and means for supporting the tubes intermediate their ends comprising 9. p111;- rality of groups of bars extending transversely of the tube bundle and in contact with the tubes,

the bars of one group extending in a direction at right angles to those of another group.

5. Heat exchange apparatus comprising a shell, spaced tube sheets, tubes within the shell con-= nected to the tube sheets, one of said tube sheets being arranged to be secured to the shell, the other tube sheet being movable with respect to the shell upon expansion and contraction of the tubes and having overall dimensions such that it may be moved through the shell to provide for the removal of the tube sheets and tubes as a unit from the shell, and means. removable from the shell with the tubes for supporting the tubes intermediate their ends, said means providing spaced contacts about the peripheries of the tubes intermediate their ends, the number of said contacts being sufllcient to prevent transverse movement of the intermediate portions of the tubes in all directions.

6. Heat exchange apparatus comprising a shell, spaced tube sheets, tubes within the shell connected to the tube sheets, one of said tube sheets being arranged to be secured to the shell, the other tube sheet being movable with respect to the shell upon expansion and contraction or the tubes and having overall dimensions such that it may be moved through the shell to provide for the removal oi. the tube sheets and tubes as a unit from the shell, and means comprising a plurality of bars for supporting the tubes intermediate their ends, said bars being removable from the shell with the tubes.

7. Heat exchange apparatus comprising a shell, spaced tube sheets, tubes within the shell connected to the tube sheets, one of said tube sheets being arranged to be securedto the shell, the other tube sheet being movable with respect to the shell upon expansion and contraction of the tubes and having overall dimensions such that it may be moved through the shell to provide for the removal of the tube sheets and tubes as a unit from the shell, means comprising a plurality of bars for supporting the tubes intermediate their ends, and means independent of the shell for supporting said bars, said bars and their supporting means being removable from the shell with the tubes.

8. Heat exchangeapparatus comprising a shell, tubes within the shelliorming a tube bundle, means for supporting the tubes at their ends, means comprising a plurality of groups of bars for supporting the tubes intermediate their ends and preventing transverse movement of the intermediate portions of the tubes, and means for maintaining said groups of bars in spaced relationship. I

9. Heat exchange apparatus comprising a shell, tubes within the shell forming a tube bundle, said bundle being spaced from the shell, a plurality of spaced plates disposed in the shell inthe space between the tube bundle and the shell and intermediate the ends of the tubes, a plurality of bars supported on each plate and disposed in the lanes between tube rows for sup- 5 the tubes intermediate their ends comprising a plurality of groups of bars extending transversely of the tube bundle and in contact with the tubes, the bars of one group extending in a direction at right angles to those of another group, and 20 means for maintaining said groups of bars in spaced relationship.

11. Heat exchange apparatus comprising a shell, tubes within the shell, means for supporting the tubes at their ends and means providing spaced contacts about the peripheries of the tubes intermediate their ends, the number of said contacts being sumcient to prevent transverse movement of the intermediate portions of the tubes in all directions' 12. Heat exchange apparatus comprising a shell, tubes within the shell, means for supporting the tubes at their ends, and rod-like means providing spaced contacts about the peripheries of the tubes intermediate their ends, the number of said contacts being suficient to prevent transverse movement of the intermediate portions of the tubes in all directions.

13. Heat exchange apparatus comprising a shell, tubes within the shell, means for support- 40 ing the tubes at their ends, and means comprising a plurality of bars providing spaced contacts about the peripheries of the tubes intermediate their ends, the number of said contacts being sufficient to prevent transverse movement of the intermediate portions or the tubes in all directions.

14. Heat exchange apparatus comprising a shell, tubes within the shell, means for supporting the tubes at their ends, and means comprising a plurality of groups of bars providing spaced con- 59 tacts about the peripheries of the tubes intermediate their ends, the number of said contacts bein sumcient to prevent transverse movement of. the intermediate portions of the tubes in all directions.

15. Heat exchange apparatus comprising a shell, tubes within the shell, means for supportin the tubes at their ends, and means causing. a relatively small'restriction oi the flow area between the tubes in the shell for supporting the tubes intermediate their ends'and preventing transverse 60 movement of the tubes in all directions.

16. Heat exchange apparatus comprising a shell, tums within the shell, means for supporting the tubes at their ends, and means causing a relatively small restriction of the flow area between the tubes in the shell for supporting the tubes intermediate their ends and preventing transverse movement of the tubes in more than one direction and in the direction opposite thereto.

- EVERETT NORMAN SIEDER. 

